6 books to read for International Women's Day at SOAS Library

SOAS Library celebrates International Women’s Day by showcasing a diverse reading list written by women from across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, as picked by librarians. 

International Women’s Day has been celebrated unofficially since the early 20th century, with its roots in socialist labour movements. Over one million people across Europe celebrated IWD on 19 March 1911. It was later declared a holiday in the Soviet Union on the 8 March 1922 by Vladimir Lenin. The UN has also promoted IWD since 1977 after the ‘International Women’s Year’ in 1975.

Not only does SOAS Library collect works on Gender Studies, but we collect resources about women’s lives across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, so we have a unique collection to celebrate. Here are some highlights from our reading list, as picked by SOAS librarians:

Carlos's pick: Celestial Bodies

'Alharthi is an Omani author, and, with this novel, she won the Best Omani Novel Award in 2010. Moreover, this was also the first novel translated from Arabic to win the Man Booker International Prize (2019).' - Picked by Carlos, interim Digitisation Manager for Special Collections.

Yurie’s pick: ブラックボックス = Black box

‘While the Me Too movement was quickly gaining prominence around the world, in Japan it seemed like society would continue on as it always had. However, this changed when Shiori Ito spoke up about her experience being assaulted by a prestigious journalist who was on close terms with Prime Minister Abe. 

Her memoir exposes Japan's prejudiced legal system which undermines, shuns and shames victims. It took two years for her case to be taken to court, only for the charges against Yamaguchi to be suddenly dropped. Instead of being made a hero for her bravery, Ito was ridiculed by the media and even threatened.

Nevertheless, Ito kept fighting for justice, not only for herself, but for all victims and for the future generation. Ito was one of the key figures who shook the country into realising how relevant the Me Too movement is. The book was translated into English in 2021.' - Picked by Yurie, the Subject Librarian for Economics, Finance & Management, Politics, and International Relations & Diplomacy.

David's pick: Fireworks

'All of Angela Carter's books are amazing, but this is the only one that relates to SOAS [Japan, where she lived for two years]. Throughout her work, she challenged misogyny, centered female characters, giving them agency at the time usually reserved for men. Despite dying tragically young, she inspired many writers and creatives.' - Picked by David, the Subject Librarian for Anthropology and Linguistics.

Carly's pick: Know My Name

'This is a book I think about all the time. Miller wrote this book to reclaim her identity after the traumatic experience living as 'Jane Doe' during the People v. Turner sexual assault trial. 

Not only is it an incredibly well-written memoir, but a testimony to strong women who have faced darkness and kept going.' - Picked by Carly, the interim Subject Librarian for Law, Gender Studies, and Global Media & Communications.

Hana's pick: The Pillow Book

'A book of observations and musings recorded by Sei Shōnagon during her time as court lady to Empress Consort Teishi during the 990s and early 1000s in Heian-period Japan. 

The book was completed in the year 1002. In it she included lists of all kinds, personal thoughts, interesting events in court, poetry, and some opinions on her contemporaries.' - Picked by Hana, the Library Events and Outreach Manager.

Manasi's pick: Why Loiter? 

'Why Loiter? makes you think about how we inhabit public spaces as women and gender minorities. The book poses really interesting questions and invites us to imagine a utopia where we reclaim our public spaces through the mundane and everyday act of loitering.' - Picked by Manasi, a Reader Assistant for Special Collections.

Celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8 March with SOAS Library. There’s even more to browse in our extended International Women’s Day reading list, recommended by library staff: SOAS Library’s International Women’s Day reading list.

Header image credit: Ondrej Bocek via Unsplash